Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment deteriorate fine movement control

Sensory-motor dysfunctions are often associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study suggests that deterioration in fine motor control and coordination characterizes sensory-motor deficiencies of AD and MCI. Nine patients with a clinical diagnosis of probable AD, 9 amnestic MCI subjects and 10 cognitively normal controls performed four types of handwriting movement on a digitizer. Movement time and smoothness were analyzed between the groups and across the movement patterns. Kinematic profiles were also compared among the groups. AD and MCI patients demonstrated slower, less smooth, less coordinated, and less consistent handwriting movements than their healthy counterparts. The theoretical relevance and practical implications of fine motor tasks, such as these movements involved in handwriting, are discussed relative to the deteriorated sensory-motor system of AD and MCI patients. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.